Thread-protecting device



Sept. 21 1926. 1,600,860

c. D. YOUNG THREAD PROTECTING DEVICE Filed oct. 26. 1925 www ATIORNEYS Patented Sept. 21, '1926.

UNITED STATES 1,600,800 PATENT oFFicE.-

THREAD-PROTECTING DEVICE.

Application filedA October 2G, 1925. Serial No. 64,860.-

This invention relates to a thread protecting device.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient device which can be easily slipped over the the end of a pipe to eng protect the threads thereon and readily fastened in place.

A further object concerns the provision of a means whereby the device is fastened on the pipe Without any protruding parts which would be likely to be damaged or injured by contact in the movement of the 1 e. l p PA still further object resides in the provision of a simple and eiicient device which can be economically manufactured preferably out of sheet metal and bent to shape.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, of which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section throu h the end of a pipe with the device appli thereto for the protect-ion of exterior threads on the pipe.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device shown in Figure 1. Y

Figure 3 is a similarl section showing the device locked on the end of the pipe.

Figure 4 is a similar section of a modified form of the device.

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the device shown in Figure 4.

The form of the invention shown in the drawings is a preferred form, although it is understood that modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts and in the character of the materials used may be adoptedA without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Preferably this device is manufactured out of sheet metal and comprises 'a sheet ofmaterial which along one edge is stamped and split to provide a plurality of separately spaced strips which are then bent over' parallel to the remainder of the sheet, this folded sheet then being bent in a ring-like manner to form a collar which can be slipped over the end of a pipe to protect the thread thereon, either the inner or the outer thread. When thus formed the half of the sheet which is split into a plurality of spaced strips or lingers forms the inner wall of the collar which lies within the end of the pipe, the solid unbroken half of the sheet lying along the outer surface of the of the pipe..

prefera ly provide one of the str1ps or fingers of considerably greater length than the other, and I dispose thc end portion of this particular linger or strip so that it will extend across thc interior of the pipe and en- O'age with one or more of the strips or ngers on the opposite side of the pipe. This engagement, by reason of the fact that the material of which the device is made, is preferably spring material, causes the clamping of the inner wall of the pipe. Preferably the inner ends of the spring fingers which are engaged by the longer strip which acts as a latch finger, are provided with flanges against which the end of the latch finger bears. A

.In the preferred form of the invention I slip a collar of preferably spring material over the end of a pipe 10, provided with exterior threads 11. This collar preferably has an outer unbroken wall portion 12 which l1es along the outer surface of the endof the pipe and an inner wall formed integral with the youter and bent around the end of the pipe. The inner wall is formed with aplurality of spaced strips or lingers' such as 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. Preferably the lower ends of the lingers 16 and 17 are provided with inwardly extending flanges such as 18 and 19 (see yFigure 2). The lower end of the finger 15 is extended in the form of a latch finger or strip 20. This latch finger has on its end a turned up flange 21. Attention is called to the fact that in forming the collar to fit around the end of the pipe a portion is sloped as indicated by numeral 22, the inclination being inwardly and downwardly as shown in Figure 1, to form a sort of tapered wall which will tend to draw the outer wall 12 of the collar more tightly against the pipe as the collar is forced on to the pipe. In the application of the form thus described, to the end of a. pipe, it is easily slipped on to the end of a pipe because the space beteen the inner and the outer walls is ample to receive the end of the pipe 10. When the device is in place, however, as shown in Figure 1, the latch finger 20 is moved to the dotted position shown in Figure 1, and this causes its end 21 to press against theflower end of the ribs 16 and 17 with the flange 21 resting on flanges 18 and 19. This tapered wall. indicated by numeral 22, is also provided because the inside of the pipe generally is burred at the ends in cutting olf the length. This burred irregularity forms a sort of fulcrum giving further spring action to the latch finger as well as to the other spring fingers. firm engagement between-the inner walls of the pipe and the outer surface of the ribs 15, 16 and 17.

As shown in Figure. 3, the modified form of collar comprises a solid outer wall 23, an inner wall'formed with a plurality of split fingers or strips such as 2l, 25 and 26, a latch finger 27 in the manner previously described with respect to Figures .l and 2. 1n this case, however, the pipe l() is provided with interior threads 28 which are to be protected. In this instance the split finge-rs of` the inner wall ofthe collar have their ends extend beyond the threads, so that when the locking action takes place the inner walls of the collar are pressed against the solid inner wall of the pipe instead of ,against the thread.

In the form shown in Figures 4 and 5 the lower ends of the split fingers 29 and 30 are slotted as indicated by the numerals 3l and 32, so that the end of the latch finger B3 will extend beyond the split fingers and Contact with the inner wall of the pipe as shown inl Figure 4. In this case the latch finger 33 has shoulders 34 and 35 as shownvin Figure 5, which engage with the. fianges 36 and 37 on the lower ends of the fingers 29 and 30. In this modification therefore the latch finger 33 not only presses the split fingers 29 and 30 against the inner wall of' the pipe but also bears against the inner wall of the pipe itself.

In applying the device it is merely necessary to slip the collar over the end of 4the pipe and then press the latch finger in place. To release the device it is merely necessary to press the latch finger inwardly beyond This locking actionl will cause a its position as shown either in Figure 3 or 4.-, whereupon the device can be removed. Only the springiness of the metal will permit this operation to take place.

In this device the entire construction can be formed preferably out of sheet-metal. which can then be bent to its ultimate shape, and there are no protruding parts on the outside' of the pipe which are liable to be broken or injured by contact.

IVhat I claim is:

l. A thread-protecting device which comprises a ring-like collar U shaped in crosssection adapted to be slipped over an end of the pipe, the inner wall of the device being spl/it to form a plurality of spaced fingers or stripsand means extending between cer` tain of said fingers to clamp the device on the pipe.

2. A thread-protecting device which comprises a ring shaped collar having a U shaped cross-section, adapted to be slipped over'the end of a pipe, the inner wall of the device being split to provide spaced fingers, and a spring latch member extending from one ofv said fingers to engage the opposite fingers and clamp the inner wall of the device against the inner wall of the pipe.

3. A thread-protecting device which com-- prises a ring-shaped collar having a U shaped cross-section, adapted to be slipped over the end of a pipe, a plurality of' spaced ngers formed on the inner wall of the device by splitting said wall, certain of said fingers having inwardly turned flanges on their lower ends, and an integral spring latch member extending from an opposite finger and adapted to engage said flanges when it is moved into position to clamp the device on the pipe.

CHARLES D. YOUNG. 

